26 
THE BUBAL MEW-YOBKEB. 
fruit. All the way from a railway junction 
called Wallula, which is thirty miles north¬ 
west of Walla Walla, on through Walla Walla 
to Dayton, the railroad runs through a narrow, 
level valley flanked on both sides by a rolling 
country—a great billowy country, like a suc¬ 
cession of enormous mounds of various bights 
and sizes, but all large and the depressions be¬ 
tween them like great dimples, which receive 
the sudden floods in Winter when the snows 
melt rapidly on the hills. The prevailing 
color of this vast expanse of huge mounds 
when we saw it was brown—all hues of brown, 
from the pale yellowish wheat stubble, and 
'headed” wheat, to the newly plowed and drilled 
fields. The fine Bunch Grass, (like Buffalo 
Grass but taller) which covers the untilled 
surface is yellowish-brown in color, cures on 
the ground and forms nutritive pasture for 
sheep, cattle and horses all Winter. Frequent¬ 
ly the crowu only of the mound is sowed to 
wheat—a fence surrounding it so that cattle 
may be turned 1b to eat the Bunch Grass on 
the sides, and many of these “top” inclosures 
must have an area of a hundred or more 
acres. Some farms consist of several thou¬ 
sand acres; but there is not a house or barn 
to be seen out of the towns, save at long in¬ 
tervals, and I wondered where the farm 
laborers lodged and lived. And the w’hole 
region, except along the streams where cotton¬ 
wood grows, is destitute of trees. And yet 
the country is attractive from its novelty, 
being unlike any other jl have seen, and by 
no means wearing a forsaken look. The 
soft, rich lines of brown on the great 
hills (I have become so accustomed to brown 
hills on this coast that I wonder if a prefer¬ 
ence for green is not a matter of fancy,) so 
diversified in places as to look like huge patch¬ 
work, are probably due to the richness of the 
soil, which is volcanic, powdery, dry, and 
loose as dust; and as for dust, it lay in the 
caboose an inch thick, and covered us like a 
gauze. The rainfall ceases sometimes in 
May, aud none falls from that time until Oc¬ 
tober, or later. At every railway station 
wer9 piles and stores of wheat in sacks await¬ 
ing transportation, and the freight car in 
which we rode from Walla Walla to Wallula 
was attached to a train of 41 platform cars 
loaded with wheat sacks. It costs 21 cents to 
send a bushel of wheat from Dayton to Port¬ 
land—whenee it is usually shipped—and the 
price being paid for wheat was from 32 to 35 
cents. Encouraging, was it not? 
A pretty little town on the road between 
Dayton and Walla Walla is called Waitsburg. 
The trades' people plant for shade trees chiefly 
Locust, Box Elder, and Lombardy Poplar. 
The land about Dayton is rated at from $25 
to $30 per acre, and that about Walla Walla, 
which has a choicer appearance, is probably 
held at even higher figures. Some corn is 
raised, but the stalks, left standing in the 
fields, were only from four to five feet high, 
and did not look “thrifty.” 
At Walla Walla we stopped for several 
hours. It is the second town in size and im¬ 
portance in Washington, with a population 
of eight to ten thousand. The streets are 
planted with Lombardy Poplars. Everything 
was dry, dusty, and wearing the cheerless 
look born of a “drought.” I saw one thrifty 
catalpa tree and wondered what harm would 
ensue if there were more catalpa trees planted, 
and fewer funereal poplars! We walked over 
the town and noted a number of pretty places. 
The most attractive grounds were those about 
the really handsome court-house. We had an 
excellent dinner, saw a number of hand¬ 
somely attired women in the streets, and 
altogether the finest-looking Indians we 
had seen—ideal Indians—the laddie observing 
that they looked like “Hiawatha,” tall, strait, 
lithe, and clad in rich, gay-colored blankets, 
with trousers to match, moccasins on their 
nimble feet, their hair “banged” in front, and 
the rest hanging in long braids at each side of 
the head; the women were dressed like the 
men, and, like them, were riding their horses, 
astride as a matter of course. They were 
Umatillas, aud the Umatilla Indian Reserva¬ 
tion, south of Walla Walla, in Oregon, con¬ 
tains some of the finest land in the United 
States. There is considerable wealth in Walla 
Walla, and the “city” is generally regarded as 
a pretty place, and a good, washing rain might 
have made it look so to me. At a fruit store, 
I saw a cluster of strawberries from green to 
ripe, and the proprietor gave me a ripe one 
to eat, saying that he knew that I was an 
Eastern woman, from my appearance, but he 
thought Anaximander belonged to the West! 
He rattled on about business here, bow men 
make, and lose fortunes, and “don’t mind it.;” 
and pointing to one side of bis shop, which was 
devoted to cigars and tobacco, be asked me to 
“guess” how large bis sales were, a day, from 
the weed—and he himself used it in noway,— 
I replied from the extent I saw it used on this 
coast, that men must spend nearly all they 
earned for it. He said he often sold fifty 
dollars’ worth in a day, 
From Walla Walla west to Wallula Junc¬ 
tion, the valley is wider, but the country is 
less attractive—Sage Brush competing with 
Bunch Grass—but it is a common remark 
that where there is Sage Brush, there wheat 
will grow. The land rose in long ter¬ 
races at each side of the valley through which 
the road lies, and the formation’of it recalled 
Colorado and Nevada. Wallula Junction is a 
place of no importance beyond a railroad 
souse. We found a comfortable hotel there, 
where we rested for a night. 
As Eastern Washington is attracting consid¬ 
erable immigration, it may not be amiss to 
state here upon what terms settlers can 
obtain 480 acres of land at a comparatively 
small expense: lfiO acres can be preempted, 
and a title obtained after a six months’ resi¬ 
dence upon it. This will cost $3.50 per acre 
when within the limit of the railroad grant, 
and $1.25 per acre when outside the limit of 
the grant. A “forest culture claim” of 160 
acres can then bo taken, winch costs only the 
planting of a certain number of trees each 
year, and many such worthless trees for tim¬ 
ber, as Locust, Box Elder nni Lombardy 
Poplars are planted; the wood, however, can 
be sold to the manufacturers of paper. Then 
the Homestead claim of 160 acres can be taken, 
requiring a residence of five years and a small 
fee to the Laud Office. When one is fortunate 
enough to secure these claims ad jacent, he has 
quite a farm for a very little money. The 
soil here differs from thatin Utah and Nevada, 
in that it produces good crop9 without irriga¬ 
tion, although there is no rainfall for several 
months during the Summer; because of its 
looseness, it absorbs a great deal of moisture 
from the air and from dews. Its fertility 
well illustrates the Oriental proverb, “Where 
the earthquake has been, the best grain 
grows.” 
For the information of the youngsters, I 
may add, while I have it in mind, that neither 
in Oregon uor Washington have I heard 
of any body who had succeeded in making 
nut trees grow and bear nuts. They are not 
indigenous to the soil, and do not take 
kindly to it, so if one's happiness depends upon 
living where chestuuts, walnuts and shell- 
barks grow, he will not come west of the 
Rocky Mountains. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Canada. 
Listowel, Perth Co., Dec. 24.—The harvest 
for all kinds of grain has been very good this 
year, but the prices are low, especially for 
wheat, now 70 to75 cents per bushel; but both 
butter and cheese have been high—the latter 
being worth from 12 to 13 cents for full-make. 
People are taking a great deal of notice of 
poultry in Canada, and a special winter show 
for them and pet stock will be held here,aud at 
two or three more new places, as well as at the 
old ones, with prize lists running from $800 to 
$500. I had no grapes this year; the frost 
caught them when they had made over a foot 
of growth; the vines were planted three and 
four years. Moore’s Early Grape came out 
the best. a. j. c. 
Iowa. 
Lima, Fayette Co., Dec. 24 —Wehave had a 
nice Fall to do our work. Corn was about 
three-fourths of a crop on account of a long 
dry time in July; but what we have is good. 
Oats good, and potatoes are ditto, except some 
that were troubled with the bugs. What 
spriug wheat was raised was good. Pork, 
$3.60 to $3.75; corn, 25 and 30 cents; Oats, 20 
cents; cream, 20 cents. p. k. j. 
Nebraska. 
Long Pine, Sioux Co., Dec. 20.—I see in 
some of the New England papers great sym¬ 
pathy expressed for us unhappy Western 
farmers and our condition contrasted w r ith 
those of that country. Now I, for one, am a 
Nebraska “homesteader,” and I would not 
change my beautiful Nebraska homestead for 
auy farm in hilly, rocky New England. I am 
well suited, eoutented aud happy, and I con¬ 
sider such stuff an insult to all the people of 
this wiile-awake West, What if our corn 
sells for only 15 cents per bushel; we can 
raise five bushels as easily as New-Englanders 
cau raise one, so if we sell cheap, we raise 
cheaply, aud don’t get our vitals punched out 
plowing among the rocks. 
We honor the Rural New-Yorker because 
it runs down no country, but tries to help the 
farmers in all to a better way of farming and 
a better way of living. I can’t see but its ad¬ 
vice is as practical for Nebraska as for New 
York. r. w. B. 
Rkmahks.—W e have never seen auy coun¬ 
try without good points, and we see no reasou 
to run dowu any, but ruther to do what we 
can to help all to make the best use of the 
good there is, ruther than to be finding fuult 
because of what there is not. Eds.] 
North Carolina. 
Highlands, Macon Co., Dec. 23rd.— This 
*4 section of Western North Carolina was 
first introduced to the world as a health re¬ 
sort, and so enticing were the reports as to 
the good results of the water and climate 
upon those afflicted with bronchial and pul¬ 
monary affections, as to induce many of the 
health-seekers from all sections of the United 
States, to come here and settle, and so by 
these means was this town of Highlands, with 
its 300 inhabitants, built up. Highlands is on 
the highest plateau of the Apalachian range 
of mountains, on the summit of the Blue 
Ridge, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet 
above sea level. But though this is un¬ 
doubtedly a splendid place for those suffering 
from the above complaints, and very attrac¬ 
tive from the variety and beauty of its 
natural scenery, wheu the farmer is told that 
it is a paradise for him, he should not credit 
the story at once. Out of a hundred acres of 
mountain land only ten maybe fit for cultiva¬ 
tion, and then it depends upon the locality of 
the ground whether it produces anything be¬ 
sides rye, some of the grasses, Irish potatoes 
and cabbages. Notwithstanding this, in cer¬ 
tain localities are found grasses and plants of 
the most valuable kinds, both to farmers and 
stock raisers, growing wild in the greatest 
luxuriance and profusion. With a little 
effort, all these mountains aud hills might be 
clothed with the most nutritious verdure, aud 
thus change a now large and profitless area 
to one of a highly productive and valuable 
character. About three miles south from 
Highlands is called the “Thermal,” or “no 
frost” liue. The “no frost” is a delusion, yet 
tne products common to the 85th parallel of 
latitude either east or west of that locality, are 
quite 'successfully grown there, while north 
of this line, in the cold, chilly and frozen 
belt, they are always a failure. j. w. 
Pennsylvania. 
Ariel, Wayne Co.. Dec. 20.—We are now 
having the first real Winter day. We have 
had an uncommonly fine Autumn. Such farm 
operations as plowing, building stone fences, 
and other improvements, have only 
ceased with the past week. Winter grain 
never looked more promising; that sown in 
September has been pastured to keep it down. 
Meats, grain, aud vegetables are all low in 
price—the lowest for years. Still farmers 
seem to feel good-natured, as the “store goods'’ 
are also cheaper than in the past. We can 
now buy mill feed at the R. R depots for $1 
per 100 pounds, giving the short hay crop a 
lift in the right direction. p. w. 
Chambersburg, Frankliu Co., Dec. 23,— 
Prices of grain are lower to an for many 
years: wheat, 76 cents; oats, 28 cents; corn, 
40 to 50 cents; potatoes, 40 cents; apples, 50 
to 75 cents. Crops of all binds were very 
good. We had plenty of rain up to July 5th, 
aud very dry weather from then till after 
seeding. Fall wheat is looking well. The 
weather was fine after seeding till Dec. 16, 
when we had winter weather with a fall of 
snow about six or eight inches deep, the night 
of the 20th. Many are sleighing now. Mr. 
W. P. S., Chambersburg, Frankliu County, 
had a field of i}*! acres planted in potatoes, 
from which he harvested Ro25 bushels—nearly 
400 bushels to the acre. They were O. K. 
Mammoth, Pearl of Savoy and White Star. 
The O. K. Mammoth did the best; but the 
Pearl of Savoy were very fioe. Ilis potatoes 
all weighed 00 pounds to the bushel. Two- 
and-a half pounds of White Chief yielded 
four bushels. White Chief yielded at rate of 
800 bushels to the acre. His entire potato 
crop was over 8,000 bushels. The 4V£ acres 
were ridge culture. He intends to try both 
ridge and level culture next season. His 
Diehl Mediterranean Wheat did very well, as 
did also his Martin’s Amber. The Fultz and 
Mediterranean varieties are takiug the lead 
in this section. T. G. z. 
RURAL SEED REPORTS. 
Canada. 
Listowel, Perth Co.—I had u splendid lot 
of Blush Potatoes—about three bushels—the 
second year of planting, and used a few to 
try them, and liked them much, as they were 
nutty, mealy, and of a good size. They are 
with me a drier and sweeter potato than the 
White Elephant, and yield as well, and are 
freer from rot. a. j. c. 
Florida. 
Orange City, Volusia County, Dec. 22.— 
We are having our customary Winter, with 
perhaps a little more rain than usual. We 
had a white frost on the morning of Nov. 24 
which blackened the sweet potuto vines; noth¬ 
ing else seemed to have suffered from its 
effects. Orauges are ripening; some of the 
trees look very beautiful at present. There 
are hundreds of acres laid out iu young 
groves here that have not yet been allowed to 
produce an orange. Wehave ripe tomatoes 
squashes, etc., iu the opeu air. Cabbages are 
being set out by the thousands; they are look¬ 
ing well too. A large number of strawberry 
plants are being set out. Orange City is a 
“prohibition hamlet,” with two cburcbes ) 
(Methodist-Episcopal and Congregationalist) 
primary and intermediate schools, a colored 
school and church, two saw-mills, a library, 
and, well I don’t kuow bow many doctors, 
“captiugs,” colonels, etc. We also have a 
weekly paper. Potatoes are$1.50 per bushel; 
sweet potatoes 75; oranges a cent a piece on 
the trees. Hay, mostly imported iu bales, $17 
to $30 per ton. Oats60 to GG cents per bushel. 
Flour is retailed at $8 per barrel. Shreded 
oats 7 cents per pound. Florida sirup GO ceuts 
per gallon. Beef, ft to 15 cents per pound. 
Visitors are pouring in [from all parts of the 
North. w. J. M. 
Illinois. 
Polo, Ogle Co.—The Rural tomato seed 
yielded very fine tomatoes, and although all 
the seeds were not planted, there were enough 
for several families. One kind of peas were 
overgrown by other vegetables*etc., and were 
lost; the other kind did quite well. The oats 
were drilled iu rich, garden soil, and, growing 
very rank, lodged, and did not fill well. With 
us they are too late. The Rural Union Coru 
was planted one foot apart, one grain to a bill, 
and gave from one to four stalks ot ordinary 
hight to a hill; but it was blown down some¬ 
what, so that it probably did not yield as well 
as it otherwise would. The yield, however, 
was 67 pounds of very fair coru; but I do not 
think it much earlier than our common c«rn. 
D. L. F. 
Michigan. 
Adrian, Lenawee Co., Dec. 22.—Some of 
the Rural seeds have been very valuable, no¬ 
tably The Beauty of Hebron, White Elephant 
and Blush Potatoes, aud the Surprise Wheat. 
The B. b. C. did quite well; I should think I 
had nearly a quart from last year’s crop, and 
I have sown some of it again. The corns have 
not done very well here, m. 
Missouri. 
Pineville, McDonald Co. — The Rural 
peas are quite an acquisition; they were plant¬ 
ed April 1st on gravelly soil; the R. N.-Y.’s 
were ready for the table June 1; Horsford’s, 
June 15. Both seem to be very prolific. We 
had some specimens of tomatoes as fine as I 
ever saw. The oats grew luxuriantly, but 
lodged and did not fill. The corn was a fail¬ 
ure, owipg to drought. s. g. w. 
New York. 
Arcade, Wyoming Co., Dec. 23.—I would 
not be without the Rural, if I had to pay 
double tbe present price for it. The last Ru¬ 
ral seeds vrere mostly good. The corn is good, 
but it is too late for this part of tho country, 
although I had IX bushel of ears. The peas 
were splendid. The Black Champion oats are 
too late for us here. c. G. 
Ohio. 
West Andover, Ashtabula Co.— I raised 
a bushel of corn from the Rural seed. I liked 
the wrinkled peas very well. From that 
package of tomato seed I raised 50 bushels of 
tomatoes, and, take them as a lot, they were 
the best I ever raised. I took the first prem¬ 
ium on Rural Blush Potatoes this year. 
E. L. D. 
Pennsylvania. 
Berwick, Columbia Co.—The Rural coru 
ripened with me nicely, aud gave a large crop 
of nice, large ears. I got 65 ears in all, and 
50 of them were fine and large. I like it well 
so far, and will plant the larger part of it 
next year. My peas did not do well. The 
tomatoes were nice. The water-melons sent 
out two years ago are just splendid. We had 
a large patch this last Summer. The Blush 
Potatoes are fine, and will, I think, be quite 
an acquisition. We got a nice lot of them 
with very few small ones. The wheat and 
rye I planted this Fall, aud both are looking 
nice. I. s. 
Chamdkrshurg, Franklin Co., Dec. 28.— 
The Rural tomatoes were splendid—I never 
raised finer or better. The flowers were very 
pretty. The peas did well. The Rural Union 
Corn did well; but I think we have other 
kinds better suited to this section. Thu Shoe- 
Peg Corn did better this season than last. 
The Surprise Wheat did well this season— 
much better than last; as did also the Shu¬ 
maker. I think we have better potatoes thun 
the Blush. Success to R. N.-Y. T. G. z. 
(Every query must be accompanied by thcname 
aud address of the writer to Insure attention. Before 
nsklng a question, please see If It is not answered In 
our advertising columns. Ask only a few questions 
at out) lime.) 
ERGOTISM IN CATTLE. 
L. B. M., Trempealeau, Wis .—A neighbor 
has lost three cows, two of which died within 
